Living Vicariously

So, I spent another weekend WATCHING other people race their bikes. Funny, but I seem to be okay with that.

Honestly, I think I'm ready to come back to the bike riding world. My thumb is almost healed. I've still got a little nerve damage and scar tissue issues to deal with, but it's getting better every day.

But, in taking time to heal, I've gotten lazy. I've found that it's nice not to have to worry about the weather and what to wear in it, or having to religiously follow a training plan.

But, this new, relaxed attitude has me worried. I've lost the lean look I had finally developed, and the old pudge is starting to reappear. Ugh.

So, today, I started building my training plan again. I've left it pretty open, because I know that it's going to take some extra motivation to get me to WANT to follow a plan again. What I found while building my plan is that I really don't have much time to train anymore. Not that I had much time in the first place, but now, I've added in full-time college since I last seriously trained. Plus, I still have two jobs and a house to run. So, for now, I've got myself lifting weights only one day a week. It's not going to be enough, I realize. Every week I'm going to be sore the day after lifting, followed by nearly a week off before starting over again. Lift... whine about sore muscles...recover for too long... repeat. It's better than not lifting weights at all, right?

Plus, I'm having a hard time scheduling in real bike time. It's been too easy to justify missing outdoor time by riding indoors. I just don't know when I can squeeze in a road ride now. It used to be a priority in my life, but now I spend too much time with school and making money. At least this week is nice weather, so I won't have that excuse to keep my indoors. I have tentative plans for a group ride on Thursday. We'll see if I can make it.

Anyway, I've gotten away from the topic I wanted to write about. I went to the 'cross race at Wheeler Farm on Saturday. It was fun to see so many people dressed up. Some of the costumes looked impossible to race in, but everyone was having fun. My teenage son has taken up 'cross racing (better than 'cross dressing, right?), so I don't feel bad about going to the races and not racing. He wears my kit, so I feel like I'm living vicariously through him.

Here are some pictures I took on my phone's camera:

This guy dressed up as a triathlete, complete with aeorbars on his bike. Brrr!

Racer dressed up as Tigger. At least he stayed warm.

I overheard this guy saying that he was going to stick a ANSI sticker in his helmet so it would be considered an approved helmet.

Where can I get a pair of those pink fishnets, Clint?

Sly Fox scaring racers in his gillysuit.

Near the end of the race, I had already determined that Tri Guy was insane. Then he took a dip in the duck pond. BRRRRR!!!!

Yes, I dressed up too. People kept asking me if I had raced in the heels. Um, no.